I-cord makes a smashing foundation row for crochet - it's flexible, elastic, easy to work into, and looks good from both sides.

An I-cord foundation can be subtle or bold, depending on the colour used. Either way, it looks great:

Reversible, flexible, versatile I-cord

Where to Insert the Hook
There are two main factors to consider when working into I-cord:

How many loops you want to work into (2 or 1)

The direction those loops are going in relation to the stitches around them.

While there's no right or wrong way to insert the hook, you may notice slight variations in stitch appearance based on the above factors.

As you can see in the photo below, I-cord is made up of rows of interlocking Vs, with each complete row of Vs representing one column of I-cord stitches.

The Vs can point either right or left, depending on how you look at them:

Vs pointing in both directions

Should You Insert the Hook into 2 Loops or 1?

This will depend on your desired results.

Inserting the hook under 2 loops will:

Give a sturdy join between cord and crochet

Flatten the I-cord slightly

Occupy, or use up, an entire column of stitches (or Vs)

Inserting the hook under 1 loop will:

Give a more delicate join between cord and crochet

Allow the I-cord to remain more rounded

Occupy, or use up, half a column of stitches (or 1 leg of the Vs)

Tip: If you're working into 2 loops, start with an odd-count I-cord (eg 3, 5, 7 stitches) - it will fold neatly in half and give a better appearance than an even-count cord. (I like to use a 5-stitch I-cord.)

Working into 2 Loops - Direction of Vs

When working into 2 loops, if you insert the hook under a leftward-pointing V, it's like working back across a row of crochet in a back-and-forth project. (I call this "against the loops", for lack of a better name.)

If you insert your hook under a rightward-pointing V, it's like working spiral rounds in crochet, where all the stitches are going the same way. (I call this "with the loops".)

Stitches worked "with the loops" will sit closer to the front of the I-cord, making the I-cord look a tiny bit smaller.

Stitches worked "against the loops" will sit back a bit, allowing more I-cord to show. They'll also expose a little more of the I-cord loops between the stitches, as seen below:

Remember, there's no wrong way to insert your hook. You can work into any loops you like - just be careful that you stick with the same loops all the way around, or your I-cord will twist.

Working into 1 Loop - Direction of VsHere's where the terminology can get a little confusing.

Because the Vs go in both directions, there's no way to say whether a single strand is a "back loop" or a "front loop":

So we'll have to pick a direction - in this case "against the loops", or with the Vs pointing left - and use that as our frame of reference for back loop vs. front loop.

As you can see in the samples below, the "BLO" stitches sit more tidily into the work, while the "FLO" stitches seem to stretch out the I-cord:

Conclusion: Whether working into 1 loop or 2, choose the loop(s) that give the desired appearance.Do I Have to Work into Every Stitch?
Nope! Working into I-cord is just like working into a starting chain or foundation row. You can skip stitches or work more than one stitch into a stitch - whatever your project demands.

Gauge
As with any starting chain or foundation stitch, you may find that the gauge differs between the foundation and the main body of the work. My own I-cord foundations often have a tighter gauge than crochet stitches worked into them with the same hook size; your mileage may vary.

A tighter I-cord foundation is not a bad thing. If you're making a top-down cowl or sweater, or a bottom-up hat, it can draw in the edge attractively, and help prevent stretching out.

But if you want the I-cord gauge to closely match the crochet stitch gauge, here are some options:

If I-cord is too tight for the crochet (crochet curves outwards when cord is laid flat):

Work the I-cord with a larger hook and/or the crochet stitches with a smaller hook

Skip some I-cord stitches (as needed) when working into the I-cord

If I-cord is too loose for the crochet (crochet cups inwards when cord is laid flat):

Work the I-cord with a smaller hook, and/or the crochet stitches with a larger hook

Work more than one crochet stitch (as needed) into your I-cord stitches

Summary
Treat an I-cord foundation as you would any crochet foundation: simply choose a loop or set of loops to work into, be consistent when working into those loops, and adjust hook, stitch count, or tension as needed.

Swatching is always a good idea, too. :)

~ ~ ~

In the next (and final!) I-cord post, we'll learn how to use I-cord as a finishing edge for crochet.

Also coming soon: a free pattern featuring an I-cord foundation and finishing edge, with lacy crochet in between:

WHO AM I?

Complete Anglophile.
Captain of the local Grammar Police, but wanted by the Fashion Police for crimes against the state.
Would live in jeans if I could.
Least likely to win a Good Housekeeping Seal of Approval for diligence in housework.
Secret fantasy: to take a pastry chef course. No, scratch that: to live in England for a year.
Happily married for over a quarter century.